Fairfield looking for revenge in cup clash

FAIRFIELD VILLA will be setting their sights on avenging one of the disappointments of a generally encouraging season so far when they visit Paget Rangers in the Presidents Cup tomorrow (Saturday).

Villa’s convincing 4-1 win against Smithswood Firs last Saturday pushed Wayne Davis’ side to third place in the Midland League Division One and within two points of Paget, who have a game in hand.

But Paget handed out one of only two league defeats so far to Fairfield, winning 4-2 last month, and Davis says they will determined to show how they have improved when they face the Bears at their Boldmere St Michaels home.

“Losing 5-0 to Droitwich was a big blow but we’ve bounced back from that,” said Davis. “The only other time where we’ve failed to put in a performance was against Paget. We could have no complaints that day, we didn’t turn up but now we’ve got the opportunity to show how good we can be.

“When we’ve got everybody fit and if we play with the same attitude and desire as we have in recent weeks then we can be right up there at the top of the league.”

Fairfield, however, were a depleted line-up last Saturday at home to Smithswood.

Regular keeper Chris Mole suffered a groin injury in the warm-up and Lee Williams stepped in, while striker Alex Dugmore and midfielder Joe Brookes were forced into new roles at right-back and centre-half respectively.

Smithswood struck first after an unstoppable strike after ten minutes but Fairfield stepped up to the challenge and goals from Connor Collins, Stuart Hall, Carl Martin and Daniel Wilkes settled the points.

“Smithswood scored a wonder goal from their first attack and it was quite an even game but we had more of the chances and we took those chances,” said the manager.

Fairfield will be strengthened for the first-round clash with Paget with the returns of Ben Smith, Scott Smith, Kevin Smith, Jack Connolly and Ryan Molesworth.

“It’s a nice dilemma to have – hopefully we’ll have a full squad available and I’ve got a few decisions to make,” added Davis.

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